15 Holiday Gifts for Sewists

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Whether someone is a beginner or an advanced sewist, the holidays are the perfect time to indulge in extra special sewing accoutrements. Here are a few of my top picks, including some personal favorites and some from the top of my sewing wish-list. What's on the top of your list this year?

15 Holiday Gifts for Sewists

1. Scissors Sweatshirt
Wear your hobby on your chest with this super cool sweatshirt. 

2. Thread snips
Hard to believe but I don't actually have a pair of these. But I know sewists love them and I hope to try them out some day.

3. Unicorn embroidery scissors
How can you not love UNICORN SCISSORS!!! 

4. Pin magnet
A pin magnet is super useful, because sooner or later you will definitely spill some pins and a magnet is the best way to pick them up extra quickly.

5. Colette Sewing Planner
I received a copy of the sewing planner back in September and I've loved using it to record all my makes. See my review here.

6. Fashionary sketchbook
One of my goals is to build my fashion sketching skills but in the meantime, the fashionary sketchbook provides a croquis to draw all your fashion ideas on.

7. 2017 Embroidery Calendar Kit from Purl Soho
Even the most dedicated of sewists, gets curious about other crafts from time to time. A great way to learn a new skill and try out a new craft is with a kit. This calendar kit is a great end-of-year gift and the perfect intro to embroidery.

8. Tailor's Beeswax
Hand sewing can be tedious but it's much more enjoyable with the right tools. 

9. No Regrets Enamel Pin
The perfect stocking stuffer for all your sewist buddies.

10. Ceramic Button Pattern Weights
I tend to use whatever is at hand for a pattern weight but these little cuties would be the cutest cutting companions.

11. Fringe Supply Co. Field Bag
Everyone can use a bag or three and the Field Bag is the ultimate for crafters.

12. Maker Tee from Megan Nielsen
I love the design of this tee and a part of the proceeds go to fight human trafficking.

13. The Beginner's Guide to Dressmaking
An essential for any beginning garment sewist.

14. Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing
This has been my go-to sewing reference for over a decade.

15. Acorn Tape Measure
Seriously the cutest tape measure ever. 

Five Fall Sewing Patterns for a Classic Wardrobe

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With the change of seasons I inevitably think about what I’d like to be wearing in the coming months. Living in Los Angeles, it does tend to be almost the same weather all year long. Despite the constant warm temps, we do like to change our style of dress. Otherwise there’s really no way to know what month is. As always, I will be wearing a lot of my own patterns. I’m particularly looking forward to wearing the Nita Wrap Skirt with tights this Fall and making more knit Lou Box Tops (going down one size gives a great fit). I’ve also been thinking about making another pair of jeans. After all, I probably wear jeans more than any other garment.

But there are a few patterns that I have not tried yet that I’m really excited to sew this season. I already have all the patterns and fabric to go with them. Just stitching left to do. :) With the exception of the Nehalem Pants, these patterns could all be categorized under basics. I expect all of them to be wardrobe workhorses.

5 Fall Sewing Patterns for a Classic Wardrobe

1. Nehalem Pants by Sew House Seven
It was love at first sight with me and these pants. I'll be sewing them up soon. So stay tuned!

2. Lark Tee by Grainline Studio
I'm really looking forward to trying this one. My t-shirt drawer is overflowing but I there are a lot of shirts in there that I don't love. I'm hoping that this pattern will become a go-to for basic t-shirts.

3. Victoria Blazer by By Hand London
I was really excited when this pattern was added to their pdf collection. I have the pattern printed and assembled and some black linen washed and ready. 

4. Ultimate Shift Dress by Sew Over It
This pattern is on my 2016 Make Nine list and I keep meaning to make it but get distracted. Isn't that always the case? I have the pattern printed and assembled. I just need to choose some fabric. I think the version with sleeves will be great for Fall.

5. Driftless Cardigan by Grainline Studio
Working in an air conditioned office, I always need to have a sweater on hand. Somehow I've ended wearing the same 2 or 3 sweaters all the time. A long cardigan like this is a neutral color will be perfect for throwing over any outfit.

Et voila! My fall sewing project list is all sorted. There are probably about 10 other things on the list too but with so many great things out there, how can I resist? What sewing projects are you going to be working on this fall?